Umbrella body mulled for telecast of films on TV

To put an end to controversies on the lines of the TV telecast of the Vidya Balan starrer 'Dirty Picture', an umbrella body is being mulled that will prescreen films to be telecast on television. Sanjib Kr Baruah reports.

To put an end to controversies on the lines of the TV telecast of the Vidya Balan starrer 'Dirty Picture', an umbrella body is being mulled that will prescreen films to be telecast on television.

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The self-regulatory body comprising representatives from the film industry, Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), information and broadcasting ministry and the Broadcast Content Complaints Council (BCCC) will decide whether the film in question is suitable for TV telecast on the basis of content and also fix a particular time slot.

"This proposal which is at an initial stage has come from the CBFC and is being positively considered by the BCCC and the I&B ministry," said an official on condition of anonymity.

"The main aim of the new body would not be to censor films but to allow more films to be telecast on TV."

"The films that would be taken up by the body are films that have already been certified and passed by the CBFC. The new effort would only streamline the process and wide-base it by including all stakeholders who would self-regulate," the official added.

Many films including a recent hit 'Gangs of Wasseypur', which contains adult content and theme, are on the CBFC's table which is caught in a quandary as to how to pass it on for TV telecast.

TV content is divided into two categories: 'G' and 'R'. While 'G' is general content that is suitable for unrestricted viewing by all viewers and/or under parental guidance, 'R' category content-to be aired from 11pm to 5am – refers to restricted programmes that are not meant for children and young viewers.

As of now, there is no censor board for TV. While the CBFC regulates films, movie videos, film trailers; the National Broadcasters' Association regulates content on news channels while the Advertising Standards Council of India monitors advertisements.